Publisher gives 26,000 books to schools

THOUSANDS of primary pupils are to get a boost to their enjoyment of reading thanks to a €185,000 gift from a Cork publishing firm.

In a sign that many sectors of Irish business are managing to avoid the recession’s worst bruising, Mercier Press is donating 26,000 books to the country’s primary schools.

The stories are all by Irish authors, including Paul Bradshaw, Tom McCaughren, Tony Hickey and Yvonne MacGrory. They are aimed at children aged between seven and 11.

“In a time of economic crisis, we hope that this contribution to the schools will go someway towards benefiting children, teachers, parents and encourage them to support Irish published books,” said Mercier’s managing director Clodagh Feehan.

Among the titles perused by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe at yesterday’s launch of the initiative in the Cork Education Support Centre were The Croke Park Conspiracy and Circle of Daredevils – but nobody dared to suggest either might be based on recent Fás spending controversies or the uncertain future of the coalition.

Instead, the minister, local primary principals and other guests were treated to musical entertainment by pupils of St Joseph’s National School from Riverstown, Glanmire, whose principal Anne Lynch thanked Mercier Press for its gift to schools.

Mr O’Keeffe said the importance of getting young children interested in reading from an early age is an important part of efforts to improve childhood literacy, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

The report in July of An Bord Snip Nua recommended the closure or amalgamation of some of the country’s 30 education centres, which provide training for local teachers on new courses and other professional development. Cork Education Support Centre director James Mulcahy said it provides good value for money in teacher education and its work was praised by Mr O’Keeffe.

The centre is also host to the national Special Education Support Service.